For individuals on a tight budget that are shopping for reduced price, secondhand goods can be a great option. Secondhand shops also carry unique items to accent a home or wardrobe. Below are five terms used to describe locations where secondhand goods are sold.

Consignment Shop - A store that sells items that are owned by other people. A seller brings goods to a consignment store, where they are displayed until purchased. Once the goods have been purchased the store gives the profits to the seller. Consignment shops typically have used goods available at reduced prices.

Flea Market - A market where cheap or second-hand goods are sold or traded by individual sellers, sometimes referred to as a swap meet. Flea markets may be held outdoors or in large indoor venues, like warehouses or schools.

Antique Shop - A store that sells items that are old or collectible. Any item may be an antique, including clothing or furniture. Antiques are desired because of unique or beautiful features particular to a certain period of time.

Vintage Shop - A store that sells items that were produced in the past and reflect the style of an earlier time. Vintage stores that focus on clothing, shoes, and jewelry are very popular. Items considered vintage are typically newer than antiques.

Thrift Shop - A store that sells previously owned items like, apparel, furniture, appliances, books, and toys. Thrift shops are often operated to fund a charity and sell donated merchandise and very low prices. Also, some thrift shops are operated for profit and purchase merchandise from the public.

Shops that sell second hand goods have been around a good while. Most sell clothing or furniture.
They fall into a number of categories. Thrift stores are often the most popular. They are run independently, but usually linked to some kind of charity. They take donated items and sell them on, often at very low prices. Thus, they serve two purposes, of raising money for the charity and of providing quality goods to shoppers with limited funds.
Pawn shops also provide two services. Generally, items in a pawn shop were given as collateral for a loan that was never paid. Pawn shops also buy items outright. These stores can have interesting, unusual and often valuable items including collectibles and antiques. Pawn shops are great places to look around and search through.
Other second hand shops often specialize in different products. For example, they may sell baby clothes and toys or vintage records. Used book stores serve a different industry. Designer apparel and jewelry are also common, including shoes. Home furniture and kitchen appliances might also be seen, including plates and dishes. Some sell collectibles such as coins and stamps. Often, items are taken for sale on a consignment basis. Consignment is an important part of the business of many used stores. Other stores may buy items outright. Despite the wide variety of goods, clothing is often the most important, especially in thrift stores. Second hand stores offer an opportunity to purchase unique vintage items, often cheaply. They are also particularly useful for both buying and selling clothing for children.